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Ganadhipa Sankashti / Karva Chauth गणाधिप संकष्टी / करवा चौथ

Kartika • Sankashti Chaturthi

Also known as: Karva Chauth

Ganadhipa Sankashti / Karva Chauth does not occur in 2026. Check the 2027 calendar.

Story — Significance of Ganadhipa Sankashti / Karva Chauth

The most famous Sankashti — observed as Karva Chauth across North India. Married women fast all day for husband's longevity, breaking fast only after sighting the moon. Story of Karva and her devotion is read in the evening katha.

Benefit

Husband's longevity, marital bliss, harmony in marriage

Special Note

Major North Indian festival. See /festivals/karva-chauth/{year} for complete muhurat. Combines Sankashti with Vat Savitri-like spousal vrata.

Vrat Vidhi (Procedure)

  1. 1

    Day Fast

    Begin fast at sunrise. No grains, beans, onion, garlic. Fruits, milk, water permitted. Some observe complete nirjala until moonrise — this is the traditional form.

  2. 2

    Morning Sankalpa

    After bath, sit before Ganesha murti or photo. Take sankalpa (vow): 'Today I observe [Name] Sankashti Chaturthi vrat for removal of obstacles and the welfare of my family.'

  3. 3

    Day Worship

    Light a ghee lamp. Offer red flowers, durva grass (3-strand bunches × 21), modak (steamed sweet dumpling), laddoo, banana, coconut. Recite Ganesh Chalisa, Sankat Nashan Ganesh Stotra, or Sankashtnashan stotram.

  4. 4

    Evening Pujan and Katha

    After sunset, do main puja with full sodash-upachar. Read the Sankashti Chaturthi katha specific to the month (Sakat for Magha, Karva for Kartika, etc.). Continue waiting for moonrise.

  5. 5

    Chandra Darshan and Arghya

    Sankashti is unique — fast is broken ONLY after sighting the moon (Chandrodaya). Offer arghya (water libation) to the moon with milk, white flowers, durva. Then break fast with the prasad. Chandrodaya time varies by month and city — check the page for your city.

Mantras

Ganesh Beej Mantra
ॐ गं गणपतये नमः
Om Gam Ganapataye Namah
Meaning: Salutations to the Lord of Ganas (Ganesha)
Vakratunda Mahakaya
वक्रतुण्ड महाकाय सूर्यकोटि समप्रभ। निर्विघ्नं कुरु मे देव सर्वकार्येषु सर्वदा॥
Vakratunda Mahakaya Surya-koti Samaprabha. Nirvighnam Kuru Me Deva Sarva-karyeshu Sarvada.
Meaning: O curved-trunk, mighty-bodied, brilliant as a million suns — Lord, please make all my undertakings free of obstacles, always.
Sankat Nashan Ganesh Stotra (opening)
प्रणम्य शिरसा देवं गौरीपुत्रं विनायकम्। भक्तावासं स्मरेन्नित्यं आयुष्कामार्थसिद्धये॥
Pranamya Shirasa Devam Gauri-putram Vinayakam. Bhakta-vasam Smaren-nityam Ayush-kama-artha-siddhaye.
Meaning: Bowing my head to Lord Vinayaka, son of Gauri, abode of devotees — I remember Him daily for longevity, fulfilled desires, and prosperity.

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